Searching for Santa Claus

Santa Claus appears throughout popular culture, captivating the imaginations and shaping the wishes of millions of children across the world – but he only came into focus as a social and cultural icon relatively recently, in the nineteenth century.

This landmark anthology, the first of its kind, traces his evolution. For the first time, it brings together the most influential and pivotal portraits of Santa Claus, revealing how a simple gift-giver developed into one of the most recognised global figures. Through its groundbreaking exploration of stories, poems, and images, it shines a light on the cultivation of Santa as both a vitally important literary figure and a powerful cultural touchstone who stands at the heart of our seasonal celebrations.

“Searching for Santa is both a lovely gift book for serious Santa fans and an important resource for anyone studying the history of American children’s literature.” Linda Raedisch, author of The Old Magic of Christmas.

Author Biography

Professor Thomas Ruys Smith specialises in the study of nineteenth-century literature and culture. He is the author and editor of a wide range of books including, most recently, The Last Gift: The Christmas Stories of Mary E. Wilkins Freeman (Louisiana State University Press, 2023).